On Media

CNN: Michael Oren left of own accord

By DYLAN BYERS

08/13/2014 05:16 PM EDT

Former Israeli ambassador Michael Oren suspended his contract with CNN in order to appear on other media networks, a CNN spokesperson said Wednesday.

In an interview with The Times of Israel this week, Oren denied reports that he had been fired as a CNN analyst, instead declaring that he wanted more freedom to talk to the press because he had a "patriotic duty" to "speak for the state of Israel."

The Middle East news site Mondoweiss had reported that Oren was forced from the network “after internal dissent within CNN." Oren, who served as ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2013, joined the network as a "Middle East contributor" in January.

In a statement, CNN confirmed that Oren had in fact "requested that CNN suspend his agreement with the network so that he would be free to support and defend Israel before the international community during the current Gaza upheaval.

“CNN agreed to Ambassador Oren’s request to suspend the contract and he has continued to appear on our air as a guest," the spokesperson said.